Stanley 45 resto help

[Matthew Brawley]

I finally picked up a good user 45. However the nickel plating is flaking badly on it, what is the best way to refinish it to look decent?

[lowell holmes]

I would consider de-rusting it and painting it with automotive enamel.

I have hand planes that were rust buckets that are painted with automotive enamel. They look great.

[Jim Koepke]

Take a brass wire brush to it and knock off all the flakes that will come off. Then put it to use. None of mine have anything like an original luster yet they all do their job well.

jtk

[steven c newman]

Underneath that flaky plating....you will find a layer of copper...you can either take the plane, and have it re-plated....or just wire wheel to get it to shine up....too much trouble to remove the wood handle, so a dip in evaporust is out. Sharpen the cutters, put it to work. Note: only the very early 45s were japanned black..

[Bill Houghton]

I'm with Jim. I know some folks can't stand to use a tool/machine/car that isn't real purty, but as long as the ugly is cosmetic, it really won't make your projects worse by being ugly.

[Kory Cassel]

I was considering re-plating my 46.

Then I thought about getting the handle off.

Then I thought about reaming and threading all the holes.

Then I thought about the caustic environment caused by the nickel plating process.

Then I brushed it off and put it to work.